State Board Action on Convention Resolutions: Closing the Loop

The League of Women Voters of Washington's 2023 Convention concluded last May with two resolutions and a budget amendment that required state Board follow-up. These include:

• A budget amendment directing the state Board to reach out to local Leagues to ask for input on  advocacy priorities;
• A resolution related to redistricting; and
  
• A resolution related to mature forests.
  

If you attended Convention, perhaps you wondered what became of these motions. The state Board dealt with these items at its September board meeting.

Here's what happened:

The Board reached out to the local Leagues to get views on the state League's advocacy as required by the budget amendment. Responses showed a fair amount variability. The state Board will evaluate legislative priorities with this input in mind.  

The Board adopted a plan to carry out the requirements of the Redistricting Resolution. The plan for the 2023-25 League biennium consists of the following:

1. Appointing a board liaison.
2. Coordinating fundraising with existing LWVWA fundraising efforts.
   
3. Undertaking a survey.
   
4. Incorporating redistricting in outreach to local Leagues.
   

The Board adopted a motion to establish the Redistricting Reform Task Force as a LWVWA committee. Alison McCaffree is chair and Martin Gibbons is the board liaison. Coordinating with overall state League fundraising and conducting a survey were also adopted by board motion. Committee work to accomplish this is underway. Contact Alison McCaffree for more information.  

Finally,  a Letter regarding mature forests was sent to Governor Inslee and others who were listed on the resolution. This letter urges the recipients to support an immediate moratorium on any further commercial harvest of mature forests on public lands in Washington State. In addition to carrying out this direction from convention delegates, the board established a Mature Forests Committee. Kate Lunceford has agreed to chair this committee. Contact Marty Gibbins for more information.